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Every seasoned sports bettor knows there’s no such thing as a “sure bet.” although plenty of sportsbooks offer odds that make it easy to convince yourself you’re placing a wager that can’t lose. That includes one concerning a safety a bettor placed prior to Monday night’s showdown between the Eagles and Buccaneers, but they’ll likely think twice about making a similar one thanks to what unfolded.
Safeties are a relatively rare occurrence in the NFL thanks to the fairly unique set of circumstances you typically need to see one unfold (only 14 were recorded over the course of the 2019 campaign).
In some cases, a safety is the result of an unforced error like the one Gardner Minshew fell victim to when he channeled his inner Dan Orlovsky in a game against the Ravens, but most of the time, it involves the defense stepping up to make a big play by sacking the QB or tackling an RB in the end zone to secure two points and possession of the football.
According to sports betting expert Ben Hawkes, BetRivers took a wager from someone who threw down $24,000 in the hopes no safety would end up being recorded in the Monday Night Football game between Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. The bet in question offered -2500 odds, which meant they were set to walk away with $960 if it hit.
Unfortunately, that did not end up being the case, as Buccaneers running back Rachaad White was unable to get out of his own end zone when the formidable Eagles defense made a clutch stop in the closing minutes of the third quarter for the safety that gave Philly a 22-3 lead.
One bettor at @BetRivers wagered $24,000 on “No safety scored” in Bucs-Eagles at -2500 odds.
Bet would’ve won $960.
Ouch ❌😱pic.twitter.com/mMTiBL1w1u
— Ben Fawkes (@BFawkes22) September 26, 2023
I can only assume anyone who can bet $24K on that kind of wager in the first place will be able to bounce back, but that doesn’t make it sting any less.